Bellator News
Jon Fitch believes 'we need some new people judging fights' after controversial draw against MacDonald
Cole Shelton - May 3, 2019
Jon Fitch had his shot to win Bellator gold last Saturday, and many believed he had succeeded by the time the final bell rang. Fitch, who many counted out, came out and took Rory MacDonald down over and over again and dominated him on the ground. He even won one round 10-8 — but even that couldn’t earn Fitch the win. Rather, only one judge had the fight for the 41-year-old, with the other two seeing it is a draw. This means the fight was ruled a majority draw, and because MacDonald was the champion, he moved on in the welterweight Grand Prix.
More reasons to watch Bellator Birmingham
Mike Straus - May 1, 2019
The Resorts World Arena in the United Kingdom will house the action for this weekend’s Bellator Birmingham event. Let’s take a look at some more reasons to watch. A former lightweight champion will headline the festivities and a kickboxing legend will look to earn his first win as a mixed martial artist.
Leslie Smith breaks down differences between UFC and Bellator
Drake Riggs - April 30, 2019
As UFC bantamweight contender Leslie Smith was working her way up the rankings ladder in 2016-2017 with three consecutive wins in the division, she was also making her presence felt in more ways than just within the Octagon. Having always been a strong advocate for fighter’s rights, Smith would launch Project Spearhead in early 2018 in an effort to create a fighter’s union for UFC athletes.
Rory MacDonald vs Neiman Gracie official for Bellator 222
Drake Riggs - April 30, 2019
Bellator 220 took place this past weekend and the main event saw the welterweight title be fought over between champion, Rory MacDonald (20-5-1) and challenger, Jon Fitch to decide who would advance to the welterweight Grand Prix semifinal round. Awaiting the winner was undefeated BJJ ace, Neiman Gracie (9-0). However, there wasn’t a winner as the two men fought to a majority draw. Due to the fact that MacDonald was the champion and he didn’t lose, he would, of course, remain champion thus making it so that he advances forward in the tournament.
Firas Zahabi shuts down talk of Rory MacDonald retiring
Cole Shelton - April 29, 2019
After Rory MacDonald fought to a majority draw against Jon Fitch in the first round of the welterweight grand prix, his post-fight comments caused quite a stir. “I don’t know what to say,” MacDonald said post-fight. “I landed some good stuff in there, I don’t know. It’s hard to sometimes pull the trigger now. I don’t have that killer inside. It’s really hard to explain. But I hesitate a little bit now. It wasn’t my best performance.”
Bellator 220 fighter salaries: Rory MacDonald leaves as highest earner
Drake Riggs - April 29, 2019
Bellator 220 went down on Saturday night as it was headlined by two big title fights in the respective welterweight and flyweight divisions. In the co-main event, we saw “The Ilimanator” Ilima-Lei Macfarlane extend her perfect record to 10-0 as she picked up her third title defense by finishing Veta Arteaga in the third-round by TKO (doctor’s stoppage). Macfarlane landed a vicious elbow to the forehead of her opponent that opened a cut that was too severe for the fight to continue.
PHOTO | Liam McGeary shows broken jaw, tooth sustained in Phil Davis fight
Tom Taylor - April 29, 2019
Over the weekend, on the main card of Bellator 220, former Bellator light heavyweight champs Phil Davis and Liam McGeary collided in an anticipated rematch. In the end, Davis won this fight when McGeary sustained an apparent jaw injury in the third round.
Neiman Gracie calls 'bulls**t' on Rory MacDonald's post-fight comments
Tom Taylor - April 29, 2019
Shortly after battling Jon Fitch to a draw in the main event of Bellator 220, Bellator welterweight champ Rory MacDonald made some comments that cast doubt on his future as a fighter. Most notably, he suggested that he no longer has the desire to hurt people — certainly an issue for those who make their living fighting in a cage.
The biggest winners from Bellator 220
Mike Straus - April 28, 2019
Bellator 220, from the SAP Center in San Jose, California, is a wrap. With a whopping 18 fights on the night (including the usual Bellator post-lims) there were plenty of opportunities for fighters to make a statement. Let us take a deeper look and see what fighters showed out in Central Cali.
Rory MacDonald questioning fighting future after Jon Fitch draw
Tom Taylor - April 28, 2019
Last night, in the main event of Bellator 220, Rory MacDonald retained the Bellator welterweight title and moved to the second round of the Bellator welterweight Grand Prix with a draw against former World Series of Fighting champion Jon Fitch. After this controversial bout, MacDonald is apparently questioning his continued desire to fight — more specifically his desire to hurt people.
Jon Fitch not sure where to go after draw at Bellator 220, contemplates retirement
Drake Riggs - April 28, 2019
The Bellator welterweight title was on the line in the main event of Bellator 220 in San Jose, California on Saturday night. In the bout was the defending champion, Rory MacDonald as he took on the seasoned UFC veteran and former World Series of Fighting champ, Jon Fitch. In a very closely contested battle, the scorecards would reflect that as the fight wound up being a majority draw. Because of the fact that MacDonald didn’t lose, he remained the champion and will advance to the welterweight Grand Prix semifinals to take on Neiman Gracie.
Bellator 220 results: Rory MacDonald draws with Jon Fitch (Highlights)
Drake Riggs - April 27, 2019
Bellator has brought back life to their old school style of tournaments with their world title Grand Prix’s. And for the welterweight tournament, Bellator 220 hosted the first title fight as the champion, Rory MacDonald, made his first return after an unsuccessful attempt at capturing middleweight gold in his last time out. The extremely season veteran, Jon Fitch looked to make it two losses in a row for the Canadian. MacDonald rushes forward immediately and cracks Fitch with a hard right hand that stuns him. Fitch retaliates with a single leg attempt. He gets it down slowly as MacDonald threatens with a kimura as he stands back up. Fitch keeps grinding on him but MacDonald goes back for the kimura. They separate and MacDonald throws some shots before defending a Fitch takedown attempt. Another big right from MacDonald lands. Fitch has a cut in his hair somewhere. MacDonald backs Fitch up and is stalking. Fitch shoots for a takedown and gets it big this time. Fitch works ground and pound to the body as the round closes.